Monday, April 27, 2015

A to Z Challenge – W – Cult Classics: Wizards, War of the Worlds, and More! Plus May Movie Release – Avengers: Age of Ultron

Today I am visiting amazing steampunk author, Jay Noel. His Challenge theme is World Mythology and I got to talk about a myth in my book.


A to Z Challenge – Cult Classics – W
Movies-Music-Sci-fi Book-Bloggers-Dragon Term




Movie –

Wizards
This 1977 post-apocalyptic science fantasy film was written, produced, and directed by Ralph Bakshi. The film is a mix of war, magic, Nazi propaganda, and adult content.



Music –


Whitesnake – Whitesnake
The seventh studio album from the band produced numerous hits and sold over eight million copies. It won the Brit Award for Best British Group in 1988.

Science Fiction Book –

The War of the Worlds – H. G. Wells
Published in 1897, this was one of the first books to depict a conflict between earth and aliens. The book has never gone out of print and has spawned movies, radio dramas, comics, video games, television series, and more.



Bloggers –

Brian Miller at Waystation One
Do you want to follow a poet who is a master with words? One who can weave a story that will make you think, all the while bringing it down to where you live? Then you must plug into Brian’s world!

L. G. Keltner at Writing off the Edge
Do you enjoy flash fiction? Enjoy the geekier stuff in life? Then you couldn’t ask for a better friend who is a lot of fun than LG!

Chrys Fey at Write with Fey
Want some of the best writing tips on the Internet? Learn about the author journey and other fascinating things along the way. Then you need to visit the knowledgeable Chrys Fey!

Donna McDine at Write What Inspires You
Do you enjoy children’s books? Want to know about some great author events and festivals? Then stop by and see Donna today!

Dragon of the Stars Term –

Weapons officer
Every ship has a weapons officer and often several. His primary duty is to control the ship’s primary weapons and direct exterior guns. One or two officers man the main station on the bridge, with junior officers manning the exterior guns from remote locations. The weapons officer needs to be precise and able to multi-task at a high efficiency level.

Dragon of the Stars is out now!
Check out the site What Are the Kargrandes? for clues as to how they tie into the story.



Ninja News

I’m glad my tips for generating names were so helpful! If you missed it, check out Saturday’s V post.

Available today!
Zadekiel, book 2 in the Path of Angels by Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine
Find it on Amazon and Goodreads


Have you signed up for the Blood, Boobs, and Carnage Blogfest yet? Movie-show-book that exemplifies the theme. (Or part of theme.)
Hosted by me and Heather Gardner.
Sign up – you know you want to!!


May Movie Preview

Here is an upcoming theatrical release for May. As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.

May 1 –

Avengers: Age of Ultron
When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and it is up to the Avengers to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans.
Director: Joss Whedon
Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth
The sequel to one of my most favorite movies ever – time for total fanboy geek out!





Seen Wizards? Fan of Whitesnake? What’s your favorite version of War of the Worlds? Following those awesome bloggers? Signed up for Blood, Boobs, and Carnage? And who is going all fanboy this Friday?

Don’t forget to visit Jay Noel!

111 comments:

kaykuala said...

No.#1
Hank

Jeremy [Retro] said...

Whitesnake... still the go to album for when I want to relive something from my past. I know I can sing every song from start to finish, does that make me cool? lol.

Avengers II, it's almost here... heck yes! Problem I cannot see it until Monday... I have to avoid everything for several days...

Jeremy

nashvillecats2 said...

Brought back floods of memories today, War Of The World was my late husband's favourite especially Forever Autumn. He would play the cd in the car many a day we went out.

I am follower of both Chrys and Donna both great blogs.

Thanks for the meories Alex.
Yvonne..

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Alex - War of the Worlds by Jeff Wayne always catches my imagination ... Chrys, Brian and LG - their blogs I know and follow ... I think the rest I'm leaving for now.

But I'll be over to see you at Jay's to read about World Mythology .. cheers Hilary

kaykuala said...

HG Well's War of the Worlds linger on even now. One of the earlier sci-fi works. Brian is an inspiration in d'Verse especially. Avengers with its array of stars should command respect. Thanks Alex!

Hank

Natalie Aguirre said...

I'll have to check out the Avengers now. I used to love it as a kid.

Anonymous said...

War of the Worlds has to be one of the first SF books to set me thinking - but then H G Wells could do that. Do you remember the concept album by Jeff Wayne, with Richard Burton as the Narrator? used to listen to that a lot.

Rhonda Albom said...

My girls saw the Avengers just the other day, is that the movie you are featuring. Every once in a while (rarely) movies open in New Zealand first. Great bloggers featured today, I already follow LG and Chrys. We are nearly there, just XYZ.

Jennifer Hawes said...

I am totally fanboying/ geeking out over the new Avengers!! Woohoo! I remember seeing the first War of the Worlds and was scared senseless. :)

Sandra Ulbrich Almazan said...

I remember Whitesnake.

My post finally went live--it accidentally got switched to draft status last night.

Jemi Fraser said...

Haven't seen the Avengers yet even though I'm sure I'd love it! Life has been chaotic ... as usual :)

Blue Grumpster said...

The Way of the Worlds... I remember reading that story as a kid. It was great!

And then I saw the movie and it tarnished said book forever and ever and everrrrrrrr! Thank you very much.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Loved War of the Worlds!

Interesting bloggers featured today. I'm meeting lots of new folks!

Donna K. Weaver said...

I love the book War of The Worlds. Read it as a teen. I liked it a lot better than the 1950s movie and definitely better than the Tom Cruise version.

mail4rosey said...

Brian is amazing with his words. Def. a writer at heart. I haven't seen him around in awhile. Happy to see the shout out.

We have the Whitesnake CD. I haven't listened to it in years though. :)

Nilanjana Bose said...

Pleased to see another H G Wells on the W-list. I lurk at two of the blogs highlighted :) though I haven't seen Brian Miller posting for sometime now. And I am going to sign up on that blogfest right after this.

Unknown said...

Ashamed to say I've never read War of the Worlds...saw the movie, though. :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hank's number one!

Jeremy, you are always cool. I'll try not to reveal any spoilers in my movie review on Monday.

Roland, I don't. I need to find it.

Rhonda, I envy your daughters!

Sandra, I've had that happen.

Donna, amazing how every incarnation is so different.

Nilanjana, Brian has been on break. Glad you're joining us for the blogfest.

ediFanoB said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ediFanoB said...

For me The War of the Worlds is forever connected to Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. Actor Richard Burton spoke the introduction.
This is a LINK to the first track of the ablum include the introduction by Richard Burton.

Sarah Foster said...

I wasn't going to sign up for the blogfest (mostly because I have something scheduled for that day and would need to do two posts) but I just realized that my favorite movie would totally work for it, so now I kinda have to...

A Beer for the Shower said...

I just like the original War of the Worlds. What a great story. And you're not the only one having a total fanboy geek-out heart attack over Age of Ultron. I can't remember the last time I was this excited about a movie I knew almost nothing about.

L.G. Keltner said...

Yay! This made my day. Thanks so much for the shout out. You rock!

The War of the Worlds is such a classic. I can't imagine writing a novel that ends up having that much of a cultural impact.

Pat Hatt said...

Can't wait for Avengers. Been waiting since the first one. That tom cruise war of the worlds sucked arse. The Gawker hasn't been around for a while.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I liked Wizards although it was a bit on the weird side. I'm looking forward to the next Avengers movie.

Matthew MacNish said...

I don't think I've seen Wizards. I'll have to check it out.

kjmckendry said...

I remember Whitesnake! War of the Worlds was the first big book that Jess read as a young girl and it captivated her. I think that's what made her want to write sic-fi.

I can't wait for the next Avengers!!

Jay Noel said...

Whitesnake....takes me back to middle school!

The War of the Worlds was a book I read after finishing The Time Machine. H.G. Wells is my first novel-author influence. Changed me forever.

Avengers is dominating oveseas. Looking forward to seeing it. Critics are saying it's living up to the hype.

Jo said...

Only one I know is War of the Worlds.

The Avengers to me means John Steed and Emma Peel

jaybird said...

I am geeking out with you with the Avengers Alex. Can't wait!

Great bloggers to highlight-

And who could forget the ole Whitesnake video with Tawny Kittain? I think every boy I knew had a crush on her after that video.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Looking forward to Avengers, but this year it's with an interesting twist since one of my kids works at the movie theater now - she's on call for the whole weekend regardless of scheduling because they expect the place to be packed out!

Will go visit, Jay!

Mary Aalgaard said...

I would like to hear the radio version of War of the Worlds. I am amazed at the story of it causing a panic!
Play off the Page

Brian Miller said...

thanks alex. the break has been nice to give me some perspective to life...you know...I have seen wizards...which made me think, I am re-reading spider robinson's Callahan chronicles right now for just some fun reading....

cant wait on avengers as well...
I actually saw whitesnake in concert years ago...

shh...let's see if anyone realizes I poked my head in...smiles.

Christine Rains said...

Wow. Wizards is a film I haven't thought about in years. Can't wait to see the new Avengers. I've already visit Jay today. :)

Sherry Ellis said...

War of the Worlds is classic! I'll hop over and visit Jay.

Sherry Ellis said...

Bonython looks like it has lovely grounds. I should like to visit it some day!

Chrys Fey said...

Thank you so much for the shout out. I'm thrilled to be listed under W for for Challenge. :)

I never read The War of the Worlds, but I have seen the movie.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks for the link, Edi! Will listen to it this evening.

Sarah, awesome you will join us.

Brandon and Bryan, we'll find out Friday!

LG, you're welcome.

Kathryn, that's cool.

Jay, it's rocking overseas right now.

Jaybird, that's because she was really hot in those videos.

Tyrean, I bet it will be.

Brian, you're welcome. I saw Whitesnake many, many years ago.

Patricia Stoltey said...

War of the Worlds, another favorite story. I've never heard the radio version or watched a movie though.

Anonymous said...

I don't know about Friday, but I will be fangirling over the new Avengers movie this weekend at some point. In fact, not sure I want to wait. SQUEE!

Mark Koopmans said...

I remember my dad bought some old War of the Worlds album (a soundtrack, I think) and that got me into the radio episodes, which I loved!!

Whitesnake? Really :)

What about Wham! (Fantastic Rock band of the 80s and their classic punk hit, "Wake me up before you go go"

Some deep stuff there, man...

Annalisa Crawford said...

Yay for Whitesnake and War of the Worlds :-)

Unknown said...

W - wizards and wars and worlds and Jay...


Miller where the heck have you been??

Alex hope your book is making the rounds.
That dog has gone and dug up a
human skull today over at Moondustwriter's Blog

S. L. Hennessy said...

I loved reading War of the Worlds when I was in high school. I'm a big fan of Chrys Fey's blog and cannot WAIT for Avengers 2!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I've not seen Wizards. Read War of the Worlds and have seen a movie.

The radio version of the WOTW would have been freaky, back then.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Chrys, you're welcome!

Mark, not a chance I'd pick them...

Moonie, thanks, it is!

Teresa, it scared a lot of people.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

I might be the only literate person who didn't read War of the Worlds. Seems I've missed out. Maybe I'll add to the list after Dragon.
A wonderful week to you, Alex.

Cathrina Constantine said...

Never read War of the Worlds though loved the old and the new movies.

A to Z is winding down!

Unknown said...

Wizards was totally cool and War of the Worlds was a classic that will live forever. Coverdale really screwed up Whitesnake. The stuff they did right after Deep Purple was great. Then they got all 80's rock hair band. And "Here I Go Again" with that horrific video, no, no, just no.

Fundy Blue said...

I haven't read WOTW either! But O loved the story of and the recording of the Orson Welles "panic." I did see the Tom Cruise version of the movie which was awful. Have a great Monday, Alex!

SpacerGuy said...

I understand Ultron is one mean robot with ability to constantly upgrade himself. It'll be quite the showdown between Ultron and Ironman. Who will win, I wonder?

Bevimus said...

I've never seen Wizards but my husband found it on some list of all-time great fantasy movies so we've been meaning to watch it. I love Whitesnake in a huge hair head banging sort-of way. And I've nevr read War of the Worlds but I've seen several different movie version of it and I think I bought the book at a used bookstore a while back- I should go ahead and read it already!

And I'm SO excited for the next Avengers movie! I join you in rabid fan girl excitement!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Robyn, my book will pale in comparison.

Anne, I did like the video...

Spacerguy, I'm betting on a happy ending.

Beverly, rabid fans unite!

cleemckenzie said...

Wizards seems to cover just about every topic possible.

Congrats to Patricia on her newest book. I'll stop by and say hi to Jay.

D.G. Hudson said...

Yes, I want to see Age of Ultron! I follow Chrys Fey, and love her theme of disasters this year. . .(better to read about them than experience them)

The War of the Worlds - a classic! Even Tom Cruise didn't blunt it too much. . .in the movie.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

My youngest son can rival anyone for fanboy of the year when it comes to Avengers.
I always visit Jay so I'll be there soon. Great bloggers again today and I had no idea War of the Worlds was written so long ago.

Sandra Cox said...

Lots of folks looking forward to The Avengers.

The Happy Whisk said...

I'm excited for the Avengers. Woohoo, fun.

Tamara Narayan said...

Chrys Fey has been to visit my blog through the entire challenge. She does have a great blog.

Sean McLachlan said...

Ah, Wizards! A fun film. I can't quite forgive Bakshi for his Lord of the Rings films, though.
"Where there's a whip, there's a way!"

Arlee Bird said...

I haven't seen Wizards but Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite movies.

I can't say that I'm a fan of the group Whitesnake, but I used to enjoy the Christian rock band White Heart.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Write with Fry! Yes, I love Chrys' posts.

Birgit said...

War of the Worlds is a great book and I love the original film. The remake with Tom cruise is ok but I go for the original. The Avengers looks quite good but I kept thinking they meant Ultra Man:)

Robin said...

I think May 1 will be big at the box office. In other words, you won't be the only fanboy geeking out.

Luna said...

I'll probably wait and see if Avengers will be at he drive-in later in May. Enjoy! :)

Joanne said...

Here I Go Again...loved the big hair Whitesnake. I vote Wizard of Oz. And hey War of the Worlds was classic.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Will have to check out Avengers. You have featured some great bloggers today.

J.H. Moncrieff said...

I did love "Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake. Great song.

My favourite version of "War of the Worlds" has to be the original. I wonder if HG Wells ever guessed we'd still be discussing his work in 2015?

Al Diaz said...

Is War of Worlds really from 1897 or was that a typo? I am looking forward to see the Avengers!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Lee, that movie is all over the map.

DG, much better to read them.

Sean, he did a horrible job with that one.

Robin, it will probably be sold out all over.

JH, probably not!

Al, not a typo. It's a really old book.

Timothy S. Brannan said...

I am fairly certain that I am the only one in my fandom that doesn't like "Wizards".

But Chris Fey is awesome!

--
Tim Brannan, The Other Side Blog
2015 A to Z of Vampires
http://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/

Julie Flanders said...

I can't see the name Whitesnake without thinking of the video with Tawny Kitaen on the hood of the car.

Enjoy the Avengers!

Tonja Drecker said...

Can't wait to see the Avengers!

Michelle Wallace said...

Congrats to Patricia on her new release!
I'll pop by Jay's place later...

Carrie-Anne said...

I have a 1982 book on tape of The War of the Worlds, which I got together with The Time Machine. For some reason, I listened to The Time Machine over and over again, but never played The War of the Worlds until I was a lot older. I did end up enjoying the story, and found the ending so haunting and awe-inspiring. Little did I know that diseases like measles, mumps, and whooping cough would all make comebacks not too far in future, and that aliens wouldn't be the only ones felled by these diseases.

Lisa said...

OMG!I can't believe you put Wizard up here! I can't tell you how many times I saw it when I was a teenager, at regular and drive in movie theaters! Such a strange film abut intriguing. War of the Worlds was a much better book than movie, IMO, even though it is a very visual piece. I have Finished "Dragon" and will post a review when the Challenge is done... Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com

Stephanie Faris said...

Great Ws! Every time I think of Whitesnake, I think of that redheaded woman on the hood of the car. I saw her on a reality show a few years ago and she was a hot mess. You could tell she was on something, which made it hard to watch.

Intangible Hearts said...

Jay has quite a wonderful grasp of steampunk as a genre and if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't understand any of it.

Elizabeth said...

I can't wait to see the second Avengers! I am definitely a nerdy fangirl :)

Nick Wilford said...

Great post at Jay's. Great bloggers too, only Brian I don't know. Wells must be the most influential sci-fi author ever, what an innovator.

Bish Denham said...

War of the Worlds... The book was better than either of the movies I've seen.

Andrew Leon said...

War of the Worlds is another one I've been wanting to re-read, lately.

Jeffrey Scott said...

War of the Worlds, love the book. Can't believe people were once fooled by a faux radio broadcast based on this.

Write with Fey - Love the blog. Chrys always has something great to write about and always responds to comments, no matter how many she receives.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Timothy, it's not really a favorite of mine either. Just filling a square.

Julie, I can't either, but for different reasons.

Lisa, thank you! Appreciate that.

Stephanie, that's sad to hear.

Nick, indeed.

XmasDolly said...

Way ta go! All marvelous choices here. I enjoyed it very much, and soon as my reviews & give-aways die down, I'm going to buy one of your books, and curl up and read it on my recliner... oh maybe sooner. I'll be in the hospital for a few days that'll give me time to read one. I want to get one on my Kindle. I hope your books can come like that. Do you suggest any that I would like. I like mythology for one. Fantasy, wizards etc, but I dislike blood & gore very much. How's bout it, suggest one please?

mooderino said...

That HG Wells fellow had a good idea or two.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I recently made a happy discovery on Amazon: WAR OF THE WORLDS: the global dispatches --

Nineteen chilling reports from the front lines of the War of the Worlds, as logged by

Albert Einstein, Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, H.P. Lovecraft, Winston Churchill, Jules Verne, and many of the other most famous writers of the time.

The audio of it was fascinating, especially the report written by Henry James of his adventures in London with H. G. Wells himself and Mark Twain's adventure in war-torn New Orleans!

Donna McDine said...

Alex, I'm deeply touched you gave me a shout out for W. Thanks a bunch! I've been offline for the last week or so. My husband has run into medical problems and it's been doctor appointments galore. Surgery is set for this Wednesday.

Donna McDine said...

Alex, I'm deeply touched you gave me a shout out for W. Thanks a bunch! I've been offline for the last week or so. My husband has run into medical problems and it's been doctor appointments galore. Surgery is set for this Wednesday.

Cherie Reich said...

I'd still like to read War of the Worlds. I love the story about the radio version and how they thought it was really happening.

Karen Lange said...

Hopping over to Jay's now. Happy Monday!

Elizabeth Mueller said...

I love Whitesnake! xD
Here's something to make you smile:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OmQ7BnvWDU
Happy Monday, Alex!


Elizabeth Mueller
AtoZ 2015
My Little Pony

J E Oneil said...

Ultron!!!!!!! I'm so excited I can't take it! I think it might have War of the Worlds beat in terms of epicness.

Bushman said...

War of the Worlds is a classic for sure. I even liked the recent one with Tom Cruise and the spoof, Scary Movie 4 where they tell the kids to run towards the aliens because Michael Jackson is standing there. LOL

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Nope. Haven't read or seen any of the above. I do follow one of the bloggers. Will visit the others.
Have a good week.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Marie, thanks! Wow, sorry you will be in the hospital. Have you read Terry Brooks' Sword of Shannara trilogy? Great fantasy series.

Roland, that's cool!

Donna, you're welcome, and I'm sorry. Prayers for your husband.

Elizabeth, I will check it out.

Jeff, that's funny.

Ava Quinn said...

Whitesnake was an interesting choice. I would have gone with The Who. :)

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Alex, how did you like Thor? Did you notice it was a woman? lol

Jenni said...

Chrys has a great blog! Now I have some others to check out too. I think I've only heard an audio version of War with the Worlds--but I can't remember which one.

Holy Ghost Writer said...

The Avengers will be great. Brian has a great blog

stephen Hayes said...

I agree with you that Brian Miller is a masterful poet.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ava, it was a toss up. Had to go with the one I liked more.

Elizabeth, I did notice.

Shell Flower said...

Wizards sounds really cool. As for Whitesnake, well, I remember making fun of their video with the girl writhing on the car, but that's actually a good song. I'm totally going to sign up for the blogfest, too!

Lisa said...

you've described Brian so well -

Liz A. said...

I have not been to a movie theater in about a year, but Avengers just may get me out.

Chemist Ken said...

Wow, it's been ages (and ages) since I saw Wizards. I may have to look that one up again.

Age of Ultron is a must see this weekend.

Helena said...

War of the Worlds really is a classic tale. Orson Welles' version might be the most notorious because so many people were fooled by it.

I just read today that the latest Avengers is a monster hit overseas too. Which of course means we'll be seeing more Avenger flicks in the years to come.

Unknown said...

I've never heard of Wizards. I'm going to try and hunt down a copy.

Yes, I'm going to be a fangirl this Friday!!

You can find me here:
ClarabelleRant

Empty Nest Insider said...

I remember hearing the Orson Welles' radio broadcast of War of the Worlds in college. He had such a powerful presence.

Julie

Heather M. Gardner said...

Alex!
You're so good about posting the blogfest! I totally forgot and had to add it to the end of my Z post! I'm so forgetful now! Brain. Full of letters and days. Groan!

Whitesnake is a great band, even with their silly girl on a Jaguar videos. :)

The BOY and I have started the 10 movie re-watch before A2 comes out. We will probably wait until Sunday to go though for schedules to align. It should be thoroughly awesome!

Going to Jay's!

Heather

Mina Burrows said...

Wizards & Whitesnake! You've got some classic ones there.